The exhibition showcases works of the Russian artists of the XVIII c. They are all devoted to antique subjects and belong to the collection of the Russian museum. Among them are canvases of the important academic master I.Akimov, works of the wonderful Russian landscape painter F.Matveyev, sketches of K.Bryullov, as well as a work of one of the first Russian pensioners in Italy - M.Puchinov. The exhibition is situated in the Hall of antiques, which is not accidentally. Since the times of Paul I, who was fond of antique art, works of antique sculpture have been located here.
Interest in antiquity in the Russian culture of the XVIII c is connected with appearance and development of secular art in Russia. The Academy of arts, which was founded in St.Petersburg in 1757, saw antiquity as a source of subjects for its students and graduates. That is why pensioner trips to Italy in the last quarter of the century became nearly obligatory. Personal examination by Russian artists of antique monuments and of west-european interpretations of subjects from ancient Roman and Greek mythology contributed to drawing of the national masters in the All-European art tradition.
The Hall of Antiques
The Hall of Antiques was a part of a suite of apartments of a Grand Duke Alexander Pavlovich and a Grand Duchess Elizabeth Alekseyevna. It was designed by an architect Vincenzo Brenna in 1799-1801. The basis of decoration of the room was formed with antique sculpture. The walls of the room were decorated with eight paintings by S.Shchedrin, and there were pictorial plafonds created by J.-B.Scotti on the ceiling.
After 1801 the Chancellery of the Empress Marie Fyodorovna was situated in the Antique Room, and later, at the times of the Nicholas Engineers' College it was used as a Recreation hall; and in 1894 it was altered for the needs of barracks for the school's cadets. The room was refashioned several times, that is why its decoration has noticeably changed. The stucco moulding of the walls and ceiling (around chandeliers), and corner ovens, which exist here now, date from the time of the Engineers' College. During the restoration of 2001-2003 signs of caissons with modelled rosettes, which date from the original decoration of the room, were found on a cornice, and they were reconstructed. The halls are closed for re-exposition until March 2012. We apologize for any inconvenience caused. |
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